The Education (Student Support) (Wales) Regulations 2012

Period of eligibility

79.—(1) A student’s status as an eligible distance learning student is retained in connection with a designated distance learning course until that status terminates in accordance with this regulation or regulation 76.

(2) The period for which an eligible distance learning student retains the status referred to in paragraph (1) is the “period of eligibility” (“cyfnod cymhwystra”).

(3) Subject to the following paragraphs and regulation 76, the period of eligibility terminates at the end of the academic year in which the eligible distance learning student completes the designated distance learning course.

(4) The period of eligibility terminates when the eligible distance learning student (“A” in this paragraph and in paragraph (5))—

(a) withdraws from A’s designated distance learning course in circumstances where the Welsh Ministers have not transferred or converted or will not transfer or convert A’s status under regulation 87, 88, 89, or 113; or

(b) abandons or is expelled from A’s designated distance learning course.

(5) The Welsh Ministers may terminate the period of eligibility where in their opinion A has shown by A’s conduct that A is unfitted to receive support under these Regulations.

(6) If the Welsh Ministers are satisfied that an eligible distance learning student has failed to comply with any requirement to provide information under this Part or has provided information which is inaccurate in a material particular, the Welsh Ministers may take such of the following actions as they consider appropriate in the circumstances—

(a) terminate the period of eligibility;

(b) determine that the student no longer qualifies for any particular support or particular amount of support under these Regulations;

(c) treat any support paid to the student under these Regulations as an overpayment which may be recovered under regulation 92.

(7) Where the period of eligibility terminates before the end of the academic year in which the eligible distance learning student completes the designated distance learning course the Welsh Ministers may, at any time, renew or extend the period of eligibility for such period as they determine.